2004 National Chinese Music Competition

2004 National Chinese Music Competition Expands Showcase for Talents

2004 National Chinese Music Competition

6 – 15 December 2004

The biennial National Chinese Music Competition returns as an exciting artistic platform with several new initiatives to showcase the range of Chinese music talents. For 2004, the Competition includes a new combined section for guanzi, suona and sheng, while foreigners working and studying in Singapore are now eligible to compete in the Open Solo category for dizi. A special prize will also be awarded for the best performance of a local work. Furthermore, in order to raise the profile of local Chinese music practitioners and their works, a panel of nine Singapore adjudicators will be judging the preliminary rounds of the competition. The adjudication panel for the Finals will consist of three local and six eminent overseas Chinese musicians.

The National Chinese Music Competition serves as a platform for music excellence and aims to develop the performing skills of musicians and to identify music talents. It provides opportunities for young musicians to perform in a competitive situation before an international jury. While the 2002 Competition received 225 entries, this year’s competition attracted 244 entries for solo (235 entries) and ensemble sections (9 entries), involving a total of 410 participants. The participants will be competing for cash prizes totalling $47,400, with a special $800 cash prize being awarded for the best performance of a local work by an ensemble.

The highlight of the competition comprises performances by adjudicators and selected first prize winners at the Prize Winners’ Concert to be held after the Prize Presentation Ceremony. The performers and the repertoires will be selected by the adjudicating panel.

In addition to the competition, masterclasses for 6 solo instruments, to be held on 14 December, will be open to the public. These will be conducted by the overseas adjudicators, with selected participants of the competition being invited to perform during the masterclasses.

The Competition is organised by the National Arts Council and supported by the Singapore Chinese Orchestra. Admission to the preliminaries and Finals are free. Tickets to the Prize Winners’ Concert and Prize Presentation Ceremony are at $10, while tickets to the masterclasses are at $5. Tickets will be available at the competition venue from 6 to 15 December 2004. For enquiries, please call 67464622 or log on to www.nac.gov.sg.